An exciting part of the conference experience is participating in excursions. These extracuricular activities have been designed to introduce conference attendees to the community and provide an opportunity to explore the unique, the scenic, and the fun the area has to offer. The conference committee has worked hard to develop a menu of no cost and low cost excursion options that should appeal to a variety of interests and activity levels.

**Pre-Registration is required for ALL excursions. Registration is now closed.**

The Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site is a must see for history buffs and the simply curious alike! Built in the 1870s, the incredibly preserved building housed a trading post and a medical center run by two Chinese immigrants, Ing "Doc" Hay and Lung On. Developing a strong partnership, the two overcame many social prejudices that typically segregated the John Day community and became trusted service providers across Eastern Oregon - Doc Hay as a physician and Lung On a prominent businessman. Kam Wah Chung is a testiment to Oregon's rich and diverse journey through time.

Tours available for conference participants at the following times and limited to 10 people per tour. Public tours are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Grant County boasts one of Oregon's prime paleontological hot spots. The John Day Fossil Bedsare a natural wonder that visitors come from all over the world to experience. On this excursion you will get toplay like a real Paleontologist as you seek your own fossils from the John Day Fossil Beds, admire the magnificent scenery on a self-guided hike through the Blue Basin or Island In Time, brush up on your natural history at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, and see the experts hard at work discovering more about our presence on this planet. Shuttle departs from Kam Wah Chung Interpretive Center at 8:15 am.

Cost: FREE

Magone Lake Canoe Tours - Friday, September 20th | 8:30 - 12:30 p.m.

Meander along Magone Lake on a canoe tour or take an easy stroll beside the banks! Magone Lake is a picturesque 30-acre lake nestled among the mountains and ponderosa pines of the Malheur National Forest. Nowrich with wildlife and fish, Magone Lake was developed in the 1800s when a landslide dammed the lake creek. Take a close look at the large ponderosa pines along the lake while you paddle or walk and you will notice they are tilted from riding the landslide down the hill. Magone Lake is also a popular swimming spot, so bring your swimsuit and take a dip! The canoeing portion of this excursion only has room for 26 people, so be sure to get your name on the list while there is room! Shuttle departs from Kam Wah Chung Interpretive Center at 8:30am.

MAXIMUM 26 PEOPLE for Canoe Tours; unguided play at the lake is unlimited

Cost: FREE

Museum Crawl - Friday, September 20th | 8:15 - 1:30 p.m.

Get to know Grant County's colorful past and rich history on our Museum Crawl! Traveling between the historical towns of John Day, Canyon City and Praire City, you will come to know the stories of gold miners, gamblers, law breakers, cattle ranchers, loggers, and all those folks who came seeking a better life. Crawlers will move between the Grant County Historical Museum, the Dewitt Museum, and the Ranch and Rodeo Museum.Shuttle departs from Kam Wah Chung Interpretive Center at 8:15 am.

Cost: $10.00 total (covers Museum entrance feesfor all three museums)

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​Ranch & Rodeo Museum

​Grant County Historical Museum

​Dewitt Museum

In
an effort to go green, we have reduced the amount of information and
materials distibuted in hard copy and made everything you will need
to participate in the conference available on this website or in
electronic form. Please help us continue this effort by submitting any
application materials via email.